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It is important that infant formula is made up according to the directions and is not too diluted or over concentrated.

child development

BOTTLE FEEDING

Remember…

  • Talk to a doctor or child health nurse before you start bottle-feeding.
  • Follow the instructions on the can to make the formula just right for your baby.
  • Sterilise bottles by boiling, steaming or using special chemicals.
  • Wash your hands before you prepare a bottle.
  • Feed your baby on demand.
  • Hold your baby while they’re drinking their bottle.

When breastfeeding is not possible, the use of an infant formula with added vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and carbohydrate is recommended. Cows milk based formula is suitable for most babies and is recommended over formulas made from soy or goats milk. These and other specialised formula should only be used under the advice of a health professional. Regular unmodified cow or goat milk is not suitable for babies and should never be used in the first 12 months. If your baby is formula fed, please seek advice on formula from your doctor, child health nurse or dietitian. It is recommended to keep your baby on formula until 12 months of age.

Getting started

  • Boil water for five minutes.
  • Let it cool.
  • Use the instructions on the can to make the formula just right for your baby. Too strong and it will hurt the kidneys; too weak and your baby won’t grow well. Measure the formula carefully, using the scoop from the container. Level with a knife. Take care not to mix up scoops from other containers.
  • Refrigerate made-up milk if not using immediately.
  • Only keep made-up formula in the fridge for 24 hours.
  • Only put formula and water in the bottle. Do not add cereal, sugar, cordial or anything else.
  • Do not use a bottle to give soft drink, tea or cordial. These are not good drinks for a baby and will greatly increase their chance of getting tooth decay.
  • Hold your baby close when feeding. Do not leave your baby alone to drink the bottle.
  • Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water.

Sterilising bottles

Bottles can be sterilised using boiling, steaming or chemical methods. Use sterilising chemicals or commercial steamers according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Boiling method

  • Wash hands.
  • Wash teats and bottles in hot, soapy water using a bottle brush and rinse well.
  • Place equipment in a saucepan of cold water.
  • Bring to the boil and boil for five minutes, turn off and allow to cool.
  • Store sterilised equipment in a clean, covered container.
  • Sterilised equipment can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

How much milk?

Bottle-fed babies should be fed on demand. Each baby is different and needs vary from day to day.

As a guide:

  • 5 days-3 months: 150ml/kg body weight/day
  • 3-6 months: 120ml/kg bodyweight/day
  • 6-12 months: 100ml/kg bodyweight/day

It is important that infant formula is made up according to the directions and is not too diluted or over concentrated.

Avoid using the microwave for heating bottles! Microwaves do not heat liquids evenly. Hot spots can form and burn your baby’s mouth.

It may take a while to settle into a feeding routine that suits you both. Your baby may want to be fed as often as every three hours during the day. You do not need to follow an exact routine. When the baby sleeps through a night feed, it means they no longer need it. Do not wake the baby to feed it. Feeding time may last 20 to 30 minutes.

How to feed

  • Seat yourself comfortably and hold the baby in your arms while giving the bottle. Hold the bottle tilted, with the neck and teat filled with formula.
  • If the baby does not firmly grip the teat, gently press under their chin with your thumb and slightly withdraw the teat to encourage sucking. This method will help prevent the baby from swallowing air, which can cause wind pain.
  • Check the bottle flow. When the bottle is upside down, the milk should drop at a steady flow from the teat. Sometimes the teat gets clogged when a powdered formula is used. Check teats often.
  • Even when fed properly, a baby swallows some air. Burping them helps get rid of it. Hold the baby upright over your shoulder or upright on your lap with your hand supporting under the chin. Pat or rub the mid back gently until they burp. Do this halfway through the feed and again at the end. Some babies need to be burped more often. However, if the baby is feeding happily, don’t stop until they are ready! Watch for signs that your baby has had enough.

Introducing Solids

For good health, your baby needs to start eating solids at around six months because his/her stores of iron and zinc begin to fall and energy needs are starting to increase. Introducing solids too early will make your baby sick as his/her digestive system hasn’t developed enough to handle foods other than breastmilk or formula.

Fact sheets on introducing solids, and other food and nutrition information, is available at www.health.qld.gov.au/child&youth/factsheets

The information above was provided by Queensland Health.